The La Porte Police Department recently welcomed another pair of 4-legged members to the force, and, as a result, community members now enjoy round-the-clock K-9 coverage. A 1 ½ year-old German Shepherd named “Huligan” and a 3 year-old Belgian Malinois named “Sylvester” are now part of the department’s existing K-9 Unit, enabling the department to have a team for all three Patrol shifts. The latest team additions represent the third and fourth K-9 crew-pairings since the program’s inception in 2009. The introduction of the two new teams follows the honorable retirement of La Porte’s original K-9 team, consisting of Officer Jeff Dalton and canine partner Teya”.

The new K-9 teams are a result of the department’s utilization of seized drug monies, and will fittingly continue in the same fight. Drug sales and the crimes which often accompany such activities have plagued communities across America for years. Although the City of La Porte may not be labeled as a city having an official “drug problem”, illegal drugs are present in every city and, if left unchecked, the problem can easily get out of control. All three of the department’s K-9 Teams have trained together with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Division and are certified to engage in a variety of drug- detection practices. Like their canine predecessors, the new crime fighters will serve and protect both citizens and their handlers as well.

The two new K-9 teams represents a considerable addition in terms of law enforcement capabilities for the police department and it bears mentioning that being a K-9 handler requires great sacrifice. Much of a K-9 patrolman’s former free time becomes replaced with basic care for their new canine partner. Canines reside at each officer’s home, and live with the families 24 hours per day, but such arrangements are welcomed by the dedicated officers and their partners.

Keep a close eye out for the Police Department’s K-9 Teams, which are already patrolling our streets and working hard in conjunction with the other officers of the La Porte Police Department to keep our community safe. . If you would like more information on LPPD’s K-9 Unit, please contact Sgt. Lee Stewart at 281-471-3118.

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